Greenwich, CT.  ---  Greg Norman, Jim McKay, Ken Venturi, Vivienne Player, Paul Dillon, Dennis Walters, and The Jules Alexander Family were honored by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association at their 52nd National Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut.

 

Norman, one of the most dominant and popular players of his generation, received the Gold Tee Award, the MGWA’s highest honor.  Norman – “The Great White Shark” – has won 20 PGA Tour titles and 86 tournaments worldwide during his 27 years as a professional.  Among his career highlights are two British Open titles – 1986 and 1993.  The 48-year old Australian was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001. "I've come close to winning a few tournaments here in the Northeast, so it's nice I'm actually getting presented something," Norman said.  Past Gold Tee Award recipients include Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Patty Berg, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Nancy Lopez. Master of Ceremonies, Peter Kessler of the Golf Channel presented The Gold Tee Award to Norman.

 The Jules Alexander Family received the award for Family of the Year.  Jules is one of golf’s pre-eminent photographers.  Alexander’s sons are both noted golf professionals.  Carl, the 1998 Metropolitan PGA champion, is the Director of Golf at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, NY.  A fine teacher, Paul is an assistant pro at famed Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY.    

 

McKay, winner of 13 Emmy Awards during his storied broadcasting career, was the recipient of the Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism Award.  McKay’s incomparable resume includes more than 40 years covering golf – first with CBS Sports in the late 1950s and then partnering with legends Byron Nelson and Dave Marr at ABC during the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Perhaps best known for his brilliant coverage of 12 Olympic Games, McKay joins fellow sportscasters Jack Whitaker and Chris Schenkel as recipients of the Werden Journalism Award. CBS’s Jim Nantz introduced his boyhood idol to the crowd.

 

Venturi has enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers in golf history – as player, television analyst, and supporter of several charities.  This year the MGWA presented Venturi with the Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award.   In 1994, he was honored with the Gold Tee Award.  The 1964 U.S. Open champion, Venturi won 14 PGA Tour titles in a playing career cut short by injury.  He retired from competitive golf in 1967 and joined CBS Sports the following year.  “Thank you for remembering me,” Venturi said in an emotional acceptance speech. For 35 years, Venturi graced the airwaves as one of golf’s premier commentators.

 

Player, the wife of legendary golfer Gary Player, was awarded with the Winnie Palmer Award for her long-time dedication to helping others.  More than 20 years ago, the Player Foundation was established to provide much-needed education and services to thousands of underprivileged children in South Africa.  Built by Vivienne and Gary, The Blair Atholl School is responsible for educating, clothing, feeding and providing medical care for deprived children from the rural parts of their native country.  A dear friend of Winnie Palmer, Mrs. Player also served several years with the (PGA) TOUR Wives Association, which conducts numerous fundraisers to benefit needy children and their families throughout the U.S.  NBC’s Jimmy Roberts introduced Mrs. Player to the audience.

 

Dillon, the current President of the Metropolitan Golf Association, was honored with the MGWA’s Distinguished Service Award for his Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  In his role with the MGA, Paul works closely with The First Tee of Metropolitan NY at Mosholu and the MGA’s GOLFWORKS program.  Dillon is a past President of the Westchester Golf Association and the WGA Caddie Scholarship Fund.  He recently completed his seventh season as the Head Coach of the Fordham University golf team.  “It’s amazing, I am actually getting an award for having fun,” Dillon said. Paul is also widely known as an accomplished oil painter.  His most popular painting, “The Big Three” (Palmer, Player, Nicklaus), was made into a limited-edition lithograph to commemorate the Met Golf Writers’ 50^th anniversary celebration in 2001.

 

Walters, one of the world’s most inspirational golfers, was presented with the Mary Bea Porter Award.  Dennis is paralyzed from the waist down following a horrific golf cart accident in 1974.  Yet, this has not kept him from being a role model – for those who must face a major obstacle in life.  His traveling show is a combination golf clinic, trick shot demonstration, and motivational event.  As host of “The Dennis Walters Golf Show,” he annually performs at numerous PGA and LPGA tour events, amateur and collegiate tournaments, business meetings, trade shows and golf clubs across the U.S. and Canada. “Do not be afraid to follow your dreams, no matter what they are,” Walters said.

 

Also honored was Canoe Brook Country Club of Summit, NJ as Club of the Year.  Canoe Brook, site of three U.S. Women’s Amateurs, was established in 1901 and has long been one of New Jersey’s premier clubs.  In September 2002, Canoe Brook raised more than $300,000 in a one-day memorial tournament and dinner to benefit 32 families in Summit and nearby communities who lost loved ones on during the horrible events of September 11, 2001. 

 

The night’s festivities included a number of silent auctions and raffles, proceeds of which went to support the many worthwhile causes that the MGWA and the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation sponsors. To date, the MGWA has raised more than $650,000 for its charities, including its New York Metropolitan Area Caddie Scholarship programs, research for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and cancer, as well as other life threatening illnesses.

 

For any information concerning Tuesday’s ceremonies please contact Ryan McKenna at the Metropolitan Golf Association at 914-347-4653 or at rmckenna@mgagolf.org.